JEREMY PELT QUINTET
Tomorrow’s Another Day may be trumpeter and composer Jeremy Pelt’s most experimental recording to-date, notable for its variety and bold auricular explorations. With greater emphasis on the dynamic aspects of sound, it is a thought-provoking record that gets a huge lift from the participation of drummer/technologist Deantoni Parks, who previously has lent his remarkable talents to such visionary artists as Meshell Ndegeocello and André 3000. Pelt’s newest band features vibraphonist Jalen Baker, guitarist Alex Wintz, bassist Leighton McKinley Harrell and drummer Allan Mednard, with pianist Frank LoCrasto on two tracks.
Their talents seamlessly come together to produce an utterly unique universe of sounds which have the ability of evoking gritty scenes that pulse with elemental energy or surge transcendently skyward. Through it all it is the trumpet and creative presence of Pelt which provides a sense of ballast to the myriad sounds and textures with an intensely personal and mesmeric weave of arguably some of the most stunningly imaginative and communicative work he has given us so far.
The Band: Jeremy Pelt – trumpet | Jalen Baker – vibraphone | Misha Mendelenko – guitar | Leighton Harrell – bass | Jared Spears – drums
Showtimes: 8:30 | 10:00pm
Tickets: $15 ~ $20
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YOLANDA RABUN
Backed by a flawless band and background vocals, get in the spirit as Yolanda Rabun performs her rendition of seasonal tunes during “Songs of Holiday Cheer” a signature show with a diverse holiday repertoire.
An extraordinarily gifted storyteller with a soul-drenched jazz voice, the Triangle chanteuse is also a publisher and songwriter with four full studio albums with chart-topping singles under her belt with So Real, Christmastime, and No Fear.
She is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (GRAMMYS) and includes her 2021 Holiday Pops with the North Carolina Symphony performance as a personal favorite.
With an energetic personality and joyful spirit, Yolanda successfully manages her music and life as a wife, mother, music entrepreneur, motivational speaker, professional AEA actor, and practicing Corporate Attorney. Yolanda is a modern-day Renaissance woman, get ready for an evening of delight!
Tickets: $28>00 ~ $200.00
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NOEL & MARIA: A JAZZ CELEBRATION OF THE HOLIDAYS
On the heels of a 2023 sellout show, Noel & Maria are joined by their all-star band as well a special guests, vocakist Ray Greene and violinist extraordinaire Karen Briggs, as they reinterpret holiday classics as well as contemporary holiday favorites such as Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Sleigh Ride, Here We Come A’Wassailing, and God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen with a ‘Dave Brubeck’ twist and many, many more!
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The Jazz Voyager
For this Jazz Voyager it’s a relatively short hop in New England terms, an idyllic three and a half hours along the Long Island Sound from the Big Apple to Old Lyme, to be in good company at The Side Door. Not unfamiliar with small town living, as Connecticut used to be this voyager’s stomping ground growing up, this venue has been billed as the only jazz club between Boston and New York City.
Residing in the historic Old Lyme Inn. The club opened in 2013 and is operated by an ambitious, jazz-loving couple in Ken and Chris Kitchings. Already made my reservations for a room and the show, so I’ll be spending the night at the inn.
On stage this week will be a first call drummer, Joe Farnsworth, leading his quintet composed of Sarah Hanahan on alto saxophone, vocalist Georgia Heers, Cameron Campbell playing piano and Peter Washington on bass. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing Joe and Peter on a couple of occasions but not with him leading this configuration. I am also excited to hear Georgia, Sarah and Cameron share their gifts.
The Side Door is located at 85 Lyme Street, 06371. For more information visit thesidedoorjazz.com.
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ROBERT HURST
A Detroit Native, Robert Hursts boasts a distinguished 30+ year career as a composer, bassist, educator, and entrepreneur. Renowned for his work with icons like Sir Paul McCartney, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Diana Krall, Terence Blanchard, Nicholas Payton, Ravi Coltrane, Kris Davis, and the legendary Pharaoh Sanders, Hurst’s talent shines on over 250 recordings, earning him seven GRAMMY® Awards and numerous RIAA® certifications. Notably, he was the inaugural bassist for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, garnering four EMMY® Awards from his performing, directing, acting, arranging, and composing on the NBC program. Hurst’s musical prowess extends to 30+ major motion picture scores for hits like The Wood, Good Night and Good Luck, and Ocean’s Eleven series.
Currently an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Michigan, Hurst received an NEA Grant for groundbreaking programming at The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. In 2024, he continues to shape the music landscape through curated performances, acclaimed releases, and global tours. Recognized in Detroit’s jazz legacy film, “The Best of the Best: Jazz from Detroit,” Hurst remains an integral figure in contemporary music and cultural movements.
JEFF “TAIN” WATTS:
Jeff “Tain” Watts is one of the most in demand jazz drummers in the world today. Jeff Watts majored in classical percussion at Pittsburgh’s Duquesne University, where he was primarily a timpanist, followed by enrollment at the Berklee School of Music, where he pursued jazz studies alongside such talented players as Branford Marsalis, Kevin Eubanks, Greg Osby, Aimee Mann, Steve Vai and Marvin “Smitty” Smith. Jeff joined the Wynton Marsalis Quartet in 1981 and proceeded to win three Grammy Awards with the ensemble. Watts left Wynton Marsalis in 1988. After working with George Benson, Harry Connick. Jr. and McCoy Tyner, he joined the Branford Marsalis Quartet in 1989. Jeff has worked in the film and television industry as both a musician on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno and as an actor, Rhythm Jones in Spike Lee’s “Mo Better Blues”. Jeff joined Kenny Garrett’s band after returning to New York in 1995 after three years in LA on the Tonight Show. Watts also continued to record and tour with Branford Marsalis as well as Danilo Perez, Michael Brecker, Betty Carter, Kenny Kirkland, Courtney Pine, Geri Allen, Alice Coltrane, Greg Osby, Steve Coleman, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and Ravi Coltrane.
ORRIN EVANS:
During his kaleidoscopic quarter-century as a professional jazz musician, pianist Orrin Evans has become the model of a fiercely independent artist who pushes the envelope in all directions. Never supported by a major label, Evans has ascended to top-of-the-pyramid stature on his instrument, as affirmed by his #1-ranking as “Rising Star Pianist” in the 2018 DownBeat Critics Poll. Grammy nominations for the Smoke Sessions albums The Intangible Between and Presence, by Evans’ raucous, risk-friendly Captain Black Big Band, stamp his bona fides as a bandleader and composer. In addition to CBBB, Evans’ multifarious leader and collaborative projects include the Eubanks Evans Experience (a duo with eminent guitarist Kevin Eubanks); the Brazilian unit Terreno Comum; Evans’ working trio with bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Mark Whitfield, Jr.; and Tar Baby (a collective trio of 20 years standing with bassist Eric Revis and drummer Nasheet Waits). One of Tar Baby’s two 2022 releases will be released on Evans’ imprint, Imani Records, which he founded in 2001 and relaunched in 2018.
The Band: Robert Hurst – Bass | Jeff “Tain” Watts – Drums | Orrin Evans – Piano
Tickets: $95.00 Dinner & Show
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